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Reflection on June’s Laudato Si Field Trip With OMI Novices July 8th, 2024
By Sr. Maxine Pohlman, SSND
One of the important themes running throughout the encyclical is interconnectedness. In paragraph 92 we read, “We can hardly consider ourselves to be fully loving if we disregard any aspect of reality: ‘Peace, justice and the preservation of creation are three absolutely interconnected themes, which cannot be separated and treated individually without once again falling into reductionism. ‘”
In order to explore this theme, it seemed fitting to have a virtual visit with Seamus Finn, OMI, who has been Director of the Office of Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation (JPIC) for the U.S. Province for many years.
During our conversation with him, Father Seamus connected us with Oblate history that gave flesh to the JPIC Office and its many years of ministry for the US Province. He showed us how the Office works on the level where laws are made in order not only to shed the light of the Gospel on world issues, but also to have an impact!
We learned that in 1992 the phrase integrity of creation was first used in the Oblate world along with the idea of ecological vocation and the encouragement to care for the environment. From that time onward, the integrity of creation became part of OMI missionary life and ministry.
Father Seamus’ broad-ranging knowledge of finance, justice, and ecology, along with his experience of visiting many countries around the world where OMI ministers, opened our eyes to the importance of sharing oneself on many levels, networking both locally and globally.
We felt grateful to have met this Oblate who has had a positive impact on our world!
Missionary Oblates – U.S. Province Joins Faith Groups in 2019 Bipartisan Budget Letter to Congress August 2nd, 2019
Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S.Provincial
Rev. Louis Studer, OMI (Provincial of the U.S. Province), joined national leaders representing a broad array of religious beliefs and faith traditions in a sign-on letter last week urging the administration to pass a bipartisan budget agreement that ‘lifts spending caps for non-defense programs and raises the debt ceiling.’
Citing their responsibility as faith leaders, the group advocated for an agreement that would enable all people to live with ‘dignity and the opportunity to flourish.’ “Federal nutrition assistance, housing assistance, reentry services, education and job training programs, international humanitarian and development assistance, and environmental protections are examples of the critical role federal funding plays in advancing these fundamental values,” the letter states. A bipartisan deal was reached on the bill last week. Read the sign-on letter here.
U.S. Provincial’s Vision Statement of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate March 20th, 2018
By Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, Provincial, U.S. Province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
Fr. Louis Studer, OMI, U.S.Provincial
The Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are an international, intentionally intercultural Roman Catholic religious community whose purpose is to evangelize the poor and abandoned with the gospel message of Jesus Christ.
Founded in 1816 in France by St. Eugene de Mazenod, we currently serve in 68 countries of the world. We number 3,700 Brothers and Priests. Our headquarters are in Rome, Italy.
We were called “specialists in difficult missions” by Pope Pius IX. “Specialists” not so much in a professional sense that we are well trained in a particular science or discipline but, rather, that we are adept and flexible in determining what is most needed in a particular mission and, with the advice of the locals, we respond to that call.
We take seriously the mandate of Vatican II that all the baptized are called to a life of holiness and we are easily identified by our closeness to the people we are called to serve. We honor and respect the gifts and talents of those called to mission with us.
